West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-03-11
NAPOLEON's TOMB.
Baltimorian.

Baltimorian.
The Church des Invalids where
Napoleon 1. is buried, 10 the loftiest
building in Paris with the exception
of the Pantheon. Its massive gilded
dome shines rcsplendsnt In the sun
light, being conspicuous from all
quarters of the city.
The dome was regilded at cost
of $4,000, during the last days Of
the Second Empire, any ram and
storm have apparently robbed it OF
but little of its original lustre.
The church is situated in the rear
of the Hotel des Invalides., the ia
nous buildingerected by Louis XIV,
for the veterans of the army, and is
within 200 yards of the Seine. The
intervening ground is an immense
campus" known as the Esplande
des Invalids, where the new recruits
drill daily, and where all great mill
tary displays take place. Its seems
most fitting and proper, that the
great warrior slept his last sleep
amid military surroundings, watch
ed over by the cadets and veterans
of the army he had led through so
many glorious victories.
The writer in conversation with
two of the young soldiers, found that
Notwithstanding their hatred to-
wards the Bonapartist party, and
their ardent Republicanism, they
would never tire in speaking of the
genius and heroism of the ''little
corporal" and the glory Of the Ma
poleonic laurels.
The tomb is situated Immediately
beneath the dome and is an open
circular crypt, 20 feet in depth and
| So feet in diameter. The walls are
of polished slabs of granite and are
adorned with 10 marble reliefs, viz:
l. Res Grafton of public order; 2.
The Concorda;3. The ReformedAd-
ministration; A., The State Council
5. The Code; 6. The University; Z.
The Chamber of Commerce; 8. The
development of commerce and indus
try: 9. Public Works and 10. the
Legion of Honor.
The chief victories of Napoleon
are represented by twelve colossal
female figures. They surround the
Sarcophague and each bear in their
outstretched hands a wreath Of lan-
rel. Between the figures there are
six groups of battle flags trophies
from Crimea-Egypt, Italy, Austria,
China, and other campaigns. Some
are so faded that their inscription
is not legible.
On a massive pavement, represen
ting leaves OF laurel, rises the Sar-
cophagus: Ii feet long; and IA feet
high, consisting Of single block OF
reddish brown granite. brought from
Finland, and weighing 10 tons. The
dome rises to height OF l60 feet
above the crypt, and is divided into
two sections. The first section is
divided into IL compartments, paint
ed with figures of the apostles. The
upper section is adorned with large
painted representing st. Louis offer
ing tho Christ the sword with which
he has vanquished the foes of Chris
tianity.
This is executed in brilliant col
ors and there is no ceiling work in
any of the Paris Cathedrals to equal
| it. A peculiar tint of stained glass
in the top of the dome bathes the
whole church in a soft blush light.
This light wierd and mournful adds
greatly to the impressiveness OF the
surroundings.
AS one looks down in SOLEMN con-
temptation upon the mammoth mar
ble coffin, containing the dust OF the
man who rose from peasant TO a
kingdom all but omnipotent, his won
deriul career passes before us in pan
oramic rapidity-his triumphs. his
overthrow. his captivity, Austerlitz.
and then Waterloo, st. Helena. The
church ;s wrapt in solemn grandeur,
and we leave the scene with reluct-
ance, impressed as we have never
been before.
| Visitors to PiBis repeat again and
again, their visit tothe tomb, drawn
by an irresistible impulse. The per-
sonal charm; and magnetism that
drew to the Emperor so many in life
seem to hover about his ashes.
/ The entrance to the crypt is in the
sanctuary, and is fanked by two sar.
cophagi, bearing the names OF Du
rod and Bertrand, the Emperor
best beloved friends. Above the en-.
trance are carved the last words 0l
| Napoleon's will: "And desire that
my ashes may repose on the hanks
of the Seine, in the midst Of the pco
| pie of France, whom i have loved sc
we'll"
| And faithfully, has France CON
piled with this request Yhcs re|
mains were brought frqm